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Popularity: Is it all Type-related?

Spikey-Eared Pichu

Pichu-pi!
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    So, the thought struck me after skimming through some comments in the Favorite and Least Favorite B/W Pokemon Topic: "Do people make themselves like certain Pokemon based on typing?"
    The idea isn't entirely ludacris, but tell me what you think. An example is the Dark/Dragon Pokemon whose name escapes me. He's Dark/Dragon, a typing a lot of us expected from Zekrom, but not everyone likes his appearance. And yet, people still say they like him with a comment like: "Dark/Dragon, need I say more?"

    So, basically, do you think the popularity of certain Pokemon is based soley on typing?
     
    Well I have no problem with it. If the pokemon is popular in type attributes then so be it. Just because it may not be popular from it's looks doesn't mean it shouldn't be popular in any other way. XD
    But what you're mentioning is - I think - quite true.
    .. a 'lil
     
    I think it completely depends on the person. For example, I'll like a pokemon if it has good typing and decent stats, I really don't care what it looks like if it has these, but another person might like a pokemon just because it looks cool. When I was a kid, I liked the look of blastoise, so I always chose it over the others, now I think I'd choose Venusaur, as the typing makes it easier to skim through pewter and cerulean, and it has some decent stats.
     
    Well, in the example you gave, Dark/Dragon is just such a great typing defensively. Both Dark and Dragon have few weaknesses and many resistances.

    Similarly, however, Rock/Fighting is a great offensive type combination but no one seems to be giving their love to the new rock/fighting legendary pokemon. >_>
     
    Timbjerr said:
    Well, in the example you gave, Dark/Dragon is just such a great typing defensively. Both Dark and Dragon have few weaknesses and many resistances.

    Similarly, however, Rock/Fighting is a great offensive type combination but no one seems to be giving their love to the new rock/fighting legendary pokemon. >_>
    Click to expand...

    Perhaps that's because rock and fighting are two very common types we've seen since gen 1. They're old. It's not a combination we've seen before, but we've seen so many of these types that they're just not that interesting anymore.

    Dark and dragon, however, are much less common. You don't see as many of either type, and dark has only been around since gen 2. Dark and dragon pokemon also have a lot more resistances, and less weaknesses than rock and fighting, or at least the types they're weak against are less used. It's kinda like the dark/ghost combos where they're only really liked because of their lack of weaknesses.
     
    I don't like Fighting types at all, but I love Blaziken, Gallade, and Combusken. So with me, typing isn't too much of a problem. It's usually looks that get me...cause I know I like a lot of Pokemon that cannot hold their own in battle too well, lol.
     
    Normally, I don't base my favorites on type, but on their looks and battle prowess. Yes, I was hoping for Fire/Bug, Fire/Ghost and Dark/Dragon Pokemon, but I started to like them when they came out because of their looks and battle potential.
     
    yeah, I have to admit, if you look at statistics, most starters chosen are fire-types, people seem to like things like Fire, Dark, Dragon... all those power-crazy types, so it really adds there

    personally, I think i'm a mix, I like Gliscor becauseit LOOKS dark-type, even though it's not... stuff like that. it's all a matter of preference
     
    I choose my Pokemon based on what they look like instead of what type or their stats are. Which is why I will never choose the fire or water starter in B/W. The snake guy is the way to go and I have to get me one of those eagles.
     
    jadecavy said:
    Perhaps that's because rock and fighting are two very common types we've seen since gen 1. They're old. It's not a combination we've seen before, but we've seen so many of these types that they're just not that interesting anymore.

    Dark and dragon, however, are much less common. You don't see as many of either type, and dark has only been around since gen 2. Dark and dragon pokemon also have a lot more resistances, and less weaknesses than rock and fighting, or at least the types they're weak against are less used. It's kinda like the dark/ghost combos where they're only really liked because of their lack of weaknesses.
    Click to expand...

    That's actually a good way to look at it, and here I was thinking that it was just because he's ugly. XD

    As for me, I have a couple of favorite types based on attacks, generalities regarding their designs, and maybe even in-game trainers that specialize in them. Most of my favorite pokemon tend to fall under one of four types, Poison, Dark, Ghost, and Bug, but I have favorites outside that as well. XP
     
    Sort of for me. Like, I'm not choosing the regional bird in Black, I'll got for Koromiro because I prefer it's typing. Also, I'll have Zurrugu on my team because of it's typing, I hate it's look, it's absolutely repulsive, but I'll have to deal with it.
     
    If I find something to be completely unattractive, I tend to ditch it.

    But what you're saying is right, after all, Dragon types tend to be quite popular, and generally bugs are less popular (although there are many fans of bugs, particularly Scyther/Scizor)
     
    There will be great variations in the degree to which typing affects various people's view of Pokemon. Some will pay attention to typing for competitive reasons, in which case it's not an aesthetic* preference at all but rather a performance issue. Some won't care. Others will be influenced to a greater or lesser degree based solely on their perception of the aesthetic qualities of various types.

    Of the people that do have typing preferences for aesthetic reasons, the preferences themselves will pretty much be based on preconceived ideas about the various types.

    For instance, like jadecavy said, rock, fighting and certain other types are common (oh boy! another geodude!), and 'mundane', which means they aren't as fantastic as other types. Rock, Fighting and Bug don't sound nearly as cool as Electric, Ice and Fire. Likewise, Dark and Dragon types are rare, and are associated with 'cool' concepts (rebellion, strength, mystery, etc). These are more commonly held preconceptions.

    Other preconceptions will be based on personal experience. For instance, I hated fighting types in 1st gen because I thought they were all ugly as sin (big muscly things with beaks? slice of bread with rubber arms and legs? crazy person wearing a skirt?). I've always been fond of grass types because Bulbasaur was my first Pokemon. Oh Weed-B-Gon, I'll never forget you... I've heard terrible things about the gen 5 grass starter, but I'll be using it anyway because it looks like it absolutely expects to win, and because I like the design.

    There are exceptions of course. I like Croagunk and hate Tangela despite their typing because of my particular aesthetic sensitivities. For me, typing preferences tend to tip the scale, not determine things absolutely.

    It's a matter of a person's sense of aesthetics versus their preconceptions about typing versus their concern for efficiency and competitive advantage.


    *Aesthetics means having to do with art, beauty and taste, i.e. 'looks'.
     
    I like pokemon because of their stats and their battling capability. I do care about looks, but mainly about its stats. Looks will rarely move me from choosing a good offensive pokemon.
     
    I find it silly how someone can force themself to like and use a pokemon even if they don't want to just because it apparently can sweep through such and such.

    I on the other hand use my favorites. Most of them are of the water type because I've found that the water type can be pretty amazing. Unless of course you go against an electric pokemon, but that's why we have water ground. And even though some people say Quagsire looks goofy, I think it's adorable.

    If I can't find an aesthetically pleasing pokemon in the type that I want, then I don't use it and find something else.

    I just wouldn't feel right using a powerful type when I disliked the actual pokemon.
    But whatever floats people's boats.
     
    I want my Normal-Ghost type. No damage from Super-Effective Fighting or Ghost type attacks, plus immunity to/STAB for Normal type attacks. Still weak to Dark type though...

    I'm picturing the Gen 6 alternate evolution for Bidoof. Would you use it? I hate Bidoof, but that type combo might just be enough to make it grow on me (especially if it has a badass evolution method, like having a Bidoof get fainted in Pokemon Tower or Mt. Pyre).

    Bidoof fainted!
    What? Bidoof is evolving!
    Congratulations! Your Bidoof evolved into GHOSDOOF!
     
    Lol...wtf dude...

    Didn't mention this originally, but do you find the anime/manga sways you a bit?

    For example, Ash's Pikachu put me off it immensely. Then I read the manga, Red's Pika, Yellow's Chuchu...both were so brilliant, it made me like them again. Then, when I used one in LeafGreen (whilst using Red's team) I discovered it didn't suck as badly as it had in Emerald....things like that can change an opinion, you know....

    Another example would be Dragonair. I always thought "meh" then evolved it asap. Mainly due to Slam being an epic fail, but also its' strongest move. However, I've tried using it after seeing Lance with 2 kick-ass Dragonair in PokeSpe, and now I like it too! (although not as much as Dragonite).
     
    My preferences are based mainly on aesthetics/design. I do like a Pokemon with the more unusual typings - but I'm not fussed which types are paired with which, I just prefer not to be using Grass/Poison, Rock/Ground and Normal/Flying Pokemon every game.
     
    Insert random filler here.
     
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